Eight national advisory council positions are open

Applications for eight positions on the national Lived Experience Advisory Council close at 11:59 pm AEST on Monday 10 August 2026.

The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission is seeking expressions of interest from people who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence.

Council members work with the DFSV Commission and with each other to provide insights for the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022, 2032.

The council includes people with lived, living and learnt experience of domestic, family and sexual violence.

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin said lived experience is critical to meeting the national plan’s goals.

“To truly understand the realities and impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence, we must listen to people with lived experience,” Cronin said.

Cronin argued those voices must shape efforts to end violence so responses meet the needs of people most affected.

She also described lived experience as expertise that should be recognised, valued and visible in decisions that keep communities safer.

Who the commission wants to hear from

The commission wants the council to reflect the diversity of people affected by domestic, family and sexual violence across Australia.

It strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, neurodivergent people, and people from culturally, linguistically and faith diverse communities.

The list also includes LGBTIQA+SB people, young people aged 18 to 25, older people, and people living in regional, rural and remote communities.

Council Co-Chair Holly Supple-Gurruwiwi said lived experience can turn survival into expertise and expertise into reform.

According to Supple-Gurruwiwi, the expression of interest process strengthens the commission’s commitment to accountable change by helping ensure policy is written with people who have lived violence, not just about them.

Applicants can find details about the eight member positions and the application process at www.dfsvc.gov.au/EOI/lived-experience-advisory-council-members.

More information about the council is available at www.dfsvc.gov.au/about/lived-experience-advisory-council, and enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Expressions of interest remain open until 11:59 pm AEST on Monday 10 August 2026.